The Savings Benefit of a Programmable Thermostat – Fenton HVAC

Many homeowners make the switch to a programmable thermostat for the convenience and money saving benefits they offer.

How can you use a programmable thermostat correctly in order to reap those benefits? If you are unsure of how to get the most use from your programmable thermostat, ask our Fenton HVAC technician to walk you through it on your next HVAC maintenance visit.

It has been suggested that close to 90% of homeowners with a programmable thermostat are not using them the way they are intended. Most have rarely programmed it beyond setting the current temperature. The reason why? Because they do not know how. This small device can save you up to 15% on your annual energy costs, so it may be a good idea to learn the basic functions.

Choosing the Right Programmable Thermostat

There are four basic types of programmable thermostats available, each with varying levels of complexity to suit the needs of any household. Understanding the type of scheduling style your house and lifestyle demands will be a deciding factor in the type of programmable thermostat you choose.

1 Week Programming – This is the simplest programming designed for a family that has a regular weekly schedule. Set the daily time and temperature and the settings will automatically repeat every day of the week.

5-2 Programming – Your weekend plans can be taken into consideration. Program one schedule for your family’s weekday routine and another for what happens at home on the weekend.

5-1-1 Programming – This system allows you to schedule a different heating and cooling plan for both Saturday and Sunday along with a 5-day weekday plan.

7 Day Programming – A 7-day programmable thermostat gives you the most flexibility since it enables you to make a different heating and cooling plan for every day of the week. This is especially useful for households whose schedules and routines are constantly changing.